Odor-control spray device



Aug. 31, 1965 Filed April 9, 1962 3 w l: 41 k i 45\ g 1 H 47 I7 Gf I I B I I I I 5 l I :I I X z rczczozozozw X 63 59 4 /-\/6/I 4 A GEAR L RED MOTOR \23 s5 FULTON J. JONES r" "*1 FIG. 3 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,293,594 (DDOR-CON'I'RUL SPRAY DEVICE Fulton J. Jones, 2806 Gross Road, Dallas '28, Tex. Filed Apr. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 186,103 2 Claims. (Cl. 222-70) This invention relates to devices for periodically actuating a valved container having fluid under pressure. In a more particular aspect, it is concerned with an odorcontrol spray device for introducing periodically a fine spray of a liquid into a chamber.

The extensive use of air conditioning in automobiles, homes, offices and factories has brought about many new problems. One such problem is the control of smoke and undesirable odors which are circulated throughout an air circulating system. Air conditioning systems, as commonly used in homes, are of the unit type, whereas, the air conditioners used in larger oflices and factories generally condition the air of a floor or zone. In either case, the control of smoking and undesirable odors is essential in the air conditioning of habitable spaces.

In the prior art, there are various systems for the control of pressurized dispensing units. As to each, it is evident that the control system is complicated and would be extremely expensive to construct. Generally, the prior art systems would require considerable maintenance and servicing. Some prior art systems use metering valves which, it is recognized, become corroded after a short time and are then unreliable. Other systems use diaphragms, pistons and like apparatus which are bothersome to use and regulate. There is not known any prior art system that has the important features and advantages of the present invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solenoid operated device for periodically injecting fine spray of substance which will modify the air moving in a chamber, the device having a minimum number of parts.

An object of the invention is to provide an odorcontrol spray device that is effective at minimum cost.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a container having a fluid under pressure with an outlet valve operable by a solenoid core, when the solenoid is energized. A fluid actuated switch is attached to a lever which is pivoted and which engages a cam. The cam is driven through a gear reduction from an electric motor. A system of wiring connects the motor and solenoid in parallel and the switch interrupts the current to the solenoid periodically as the cam rotates.

For a more complete understanding of the invention and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference may now be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an odor-control spray device installed in association with an air conditioning duct;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of an odor-control spray device constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram of the device of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, an odor-control spray device is housed in a casing 11 which is fixed adjacent the side Wall of an air conditioning duct 13, in which there is an aperture 15. A fine spray is introduced intermittently int-o the duct 13 through the aperture 15 wherein the spray mingles with the air in the duct and changes the odor characteristics of the air.

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FIGURE 2 illustrates the device of the present invention housed in the casing 11. The wall panel 17 of the casing 11 has been partially removed to reveal more clearly a cam 19 which is suitably connected to a shaft 21 of a drive system of an electric motor 23. The motor 23 is mounted on the rear side of a support plate 25 which itself is fastened to the back inside wall of the casing 11 by suitable fasteners 27. A bar or lever 29 is pivoted on shaft 31 and lies parallel to the front surface of the support plate 25 so that the lower edge of the lever 29 is always in contact with the face of the cam 19. A vial 33 of glass, plastic or other nonconductive material contains a small quantity of mercury 35 or other suitable conductive fluid substance. Vial 33 is mounted on the lever 29. Two spaced electrodes 37, 39 project within the vial 33 and are provided with electrical terminal connections outside the vial. The electrodes 37, 39, preferably, are wire so disposed that when the vial 33 is horizontal, the mercury 35 will form an electrical bridge between the electrodes 37, 39. But, when the vial is in an angular position the mercury will not contact the electrodes.

In another region of the casing, there is a fluid dispensing container 41 of the pressure discharge type disposed below and in longitudinal axial relation to a solenoid core 43. The container 41 is secured to the back of casing 11 by a strap 45 and fasteners 47, or it may be secured in any other suitable manner. A discharge nozzle 49 at the top of the container abuts the lower end 51 of the core 43. The discharge nozzle is oriented by end 51 to direct a spray through an aperture 53 in the back of the casing. This aperture 53 is in registration with the apertul'e 15 in the wall of the air conditioning duct 13. The core 43 is .an element of a solenoid 55 mounted in the casing 11 or in any other suitable location so that the core 43 will abut and be axially aligned with the nozzle 49.

Referring again to the drawing, FIGURE 3 is a schematic wiring diagram wherein terminals A, B are connectable to a source of electric power, preferably alternating current at 115-120 volts. In some applications, the terminals A, B may be connectable to a source of current at other voltages. Line 57 leading from terminal A is connected to a switch 59 by means of which the flow of current to the device may be controlled. In series with the switch 59 is a fuse 61 which may be of any suitable type. In a series with the fuse 61 and the switch 59 there is the mercury switch 63 which has been described hereinbefore as the vial 33 having two electrodes 37, 39 and the body 31 of mercury. In series with the switch 63 is the winding of the solenoid 55 disposed in operating relation to include the core 43 as shown schematically. Line 65 completes the electric circuit to terminal B. In parallel between lines 57 and 65 is the electric motor 23 which operates a reduction gear 67. The reduction gear 67 is linked by the cam couple 19 to the switch 63. Thus, it is clear that, after connecting terminals A, B to a suitable source of power, the closing of the switch 59 causes the motor to actuate the cam 19. Thereafter, when the cam 19 assumes a position so that the vial 33 and the mercury 35 therein make an electrical bridge between the electrodes 37, 39, which is equivalent to closing the switch 63 in FIGURE 3, the solenoid 55 is energized. The core 43 moves downward against the nozzle 49. The nozzle 49 opens and a fine spray is injected through the apertures 53, 15 into the chamber to which the casing 11 may be attached. Since the bridge provided by the mercury 31, passing the electrodes 37, 39, is only momentary, the core 43 is extended downward for a very short period of time. The spring bias within the container 41 urges the nozzle 43 upward again immediately upon "breaking 3 contact. Thus, the spray is injected during a very short period of time.

It is evident to those skilled in the art that the duration and frequency of the spray may, if desired, be controlled 'in several ways. For example, if the outline of the cam is changed to provide a longer dwell, then the contact time will be longer and the spray time will be increased. Likewise, if the speed of the motor 23 is increased or the reduction in gear train 67 is decreased, the speed of rotation of the cam 19 will be increased. Therefore, the frequency of spray injections will be increased. Thus, it is evident that many combinations of the duration and frequency of the spraying may be easily made. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the container 41 may be removed and replaced easily. Containers having different fluids therein may be employed as required for different specific purposes.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spray was initiated at intervals of fifteen minutes. The particular mercury switch arrangement employed limited the period during which the spray was maintained to a fractional part of a second, measured in milliseconds. Since the two control features are variable, it is possible that, in some applications, a longer duration of spraying time and a shorter time interval may be desirable.

Having described the invention in connection with certain embodiments thereof, it is understood that the further modifications may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A system for periodic delivery of material from a pressurized container having a rotatable spring loaded valve element which comprises:

(a) a solenoid having an armature in intimate contact with said valve and having a direction-determining structure for actuating said valve upon energization of said solenoid to eject spray from said container in a predetermined direction,

(b) :a casing for receiving said container and for mounting said solenoid and having a port therein positioned for registration with the spray output from said valve,

(c) a cam adapted to be driven cyclically,

(d) means for driving said cam,

(e) power terminals,

(f) a mercury switch connected in circuit with said solenoid and said power terminals and biased into engagement with said cam for closure of a circuit through said switch periodically in response to movement of said cam, and

(g) means for connecting said power terminals to a source of electric power to energize said circuit.

2. A device for periodically discharging a quantity of fiuid under pressure, said device comprising in combination:

(a) a pressurized fluid container having a rotatable spring loaded discharge valve having direction indexing structure thereon,

(b) a solenoid having an armature,

(c) a linkage between said solenoid and said valve including indexing structure mating with said valve for actuating said valve in a predetermined direction upon energization of said solenoid,

(d) a pivotally mounted fluid actuated switch in circuit with said solenoid,

(e) a cyclically driven cam biased into engagement with said switch to periodically close said switch,

(f) means for driving said cam,

(g) power terminals, and

(h) circuitry connecting said switch and said power terminals for energization of said solenoid when said switch is periodically closed in response to said cam.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,566,549 12/25 McMeen 20032 2,143,206 1/39 Palermo 20032 2,274,783 3/42 Geerty 200-32 X 3,107,821 10/63 Lambert 222- OTHER REFERENCES Snow: abstract of application Serial No. 773,725, published Nov. 28, 1950, 640 O. G. 1371.

LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SYSTEM FOR PERIODIC DELIVERY OF MATERIAL FROM A PRESSURIZED CONTAINER HAVING A ROTATABLE SPRING LOADED VALVE ELEMENT WHICH COMPRISES: (A) A SOLENOID HAVING AN ARMATURE IN INTIMATE CONTACT WITH SAID VALVE AND HAVING A DIRECTION-DETERMINING STRUCTURE FOR ACTUATING SAID VALVE UPN ENERGIZATION OF SAID SOLENOID TO EJECT SPRAY FROM SAID CONTAINER IN A PREDETERMINED DIRECTION, (B) A CASING FOR RECEIVING SAID CONTAINER AND FOR MOUNTING SAID SOLENOID AND HAVING A PORT THEREIN POSITIONED FOR REGISTRATION WITH THE SPRAY OUTPUT FROM SAID VALVE, (C) A CAM ADAPTED TO BE DRIVEN CYCLICALLY, (D) MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID CAM, (E) POWER TERMINALS, 